Reinforced track block connector



y 1950 E. M. WINEGAR 2,513,540

REINFORCED TRACK BLOCK CONNECTOR Filed Aug. 12, 1944 amen Mot Edmund MIVYlE ar 6. 67M WMMM Patented July 4, 1950 Edmund M. Winegar, Willoughby, Ohio; Esta Winegar administratl ix of said Edmund M.

Winegar, deceased Application August 12, 1944, Serial No. 549,185

The present invention pertains to a novel connector for the track blocks of an endless track for vehicles. A well known connector of this type includes a body plate having a pair of apertures to receive pins extending from adjacent track blocks and formed with a curved flange embracing the pins. The flange frequently bends or breaks in use and thus permits bending or breaking of the connector pins as well as loosening of the assembly.

The object of this invention is to overcome these defects and is accomplished by providing a plate or wall at the free edge of the flange opposite the body plate. This wall, especially in conjunction with a flange that encloses both apertures without interruption, converts the flange into a box structure having greatly increased resistance to deflection in the lengthwise direction of the track.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a reinforced track block connector embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross section taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a cross section taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

The body of the connector includes a plate I having two apertures 2 for receiving the pins 3 extending outward from the ends of a pair of adjacent track blocks, as well known in the art. From one of the longer edges of the plate I extends a guide 5, preferably formed integrally therewith, for engaging an edge of the drive sprocket, the idler sprocket and the bogie wheels as also well known in the art. Connectors of this character are employed at each edge of the track, and the guides at each edge maintain the track on the several wheels. From the outer surface of the plate I extends the connector clip 6 in the form of a flange having curved end portions I, an upper bridge 6' and a bottom wall I, which together enclose each aperture 2 along the outer half of its edge.

A wall 9 is formed at the outer edge of the clip 6, engaging the entire free edge of the flange structure and thus joining the end portions I to provide an enclosed or box formation as shown more clearly in Figure 2'. The wall is formed 4 Claims. (Cl. 305-40) W with a pair of apertures 2' coaxial with the a er' .turesv 2 and also receiving the pins 3. A reinforc-;

ing web I 0 is preferably formed between the inner surface of the plate and the inwardly offset portion I I of the guide 5.

The bottom flange portion I is formed with a slot 8 which permits insertion of a Wedge I3 into the box structure. Each of the pins 2 is formed with a flat I4 for engagement with a tapered side of the wedge, as well known in the art. The top or bridge portion 6 of the clip 6 has an aperture I5 receiving a screw I6 attached to the wedge. The wedge is tightened by means of a nut I! mounted on the screw and bearing on a spot faced seat I8 formed. on the top center of the clip.

The novel feature of the invention is the provision of the wall 9 against the outer edge of the flange structure. The entire connector, including the wall 9, may be formed in any suitable manner as by casting or forging. The wall 9 adds considerable strength to the flange or clip structure, and this added strength reduces the liability of breakage in several respects. In the prior devices without the wall 9, the curved flange portions or cheeks 'I have been deflected outwardly, thus causing the pins 2 also to bend outwardly under a live load. As a result of such flexing, the pins frequently break especially where they are of reduced cross section at the flat I4. Also, the connector itself Was found to break at times somewhere in the flange structure. The provision of the wall 9 prevents such deflection of the cheeks I and breakage of the parts.

As a further result of the bending of the cheeks, the wedge could be bottomed against the top 6' of the flange and thereby lose its tightening action on the pins. This defect obviously is avoided by the reinforcement furnished by the wall 9.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and been described, it will be understood that various alterations may be made without departure from the spirit of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An end connector for track blocks comprising a body plate, a connector flange extending from a surface of said plate and having curved end p0rtio ns, said plate having apertures registering with the inner edges of said end portions, and a wall formed across the free edge of said flange and parallel to said body plate, said wall having apertures coaxial with the first named apertures.

2. An end connector for track blocks compris-v ing a body plate, a connector flange extending from a surface of said plate and having curved end portions, said plate having apertures registering with the inner edges of said end portions, and a wall formed across the free edge of said flange and parallel to said body plate, said wall having apertures coaxial with the first named apertures, said wall beingsrelieved a't the'groundfacing side and'betwe'en said apertures to" permit insertion of a wedge between the alined centers of said apertures.

3. An end connector for trackblockscomprising a body plate. a connector flange extending from a surface of said plate and having curved end portions, said plate having'apertures'registering with the inner edges of said end portions,

said plate being continuous and'enclosing said apertures and a wall formed across the free edge of said flange and parallel to said body plate, said wall having apertures coaxial with the first named apertures, said flange having a recess in the ground-facing side and'between said'aitier- REFERENCES CITED The following'references are of record in the file of this patent? UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,707,953 Winsor Apr. 2, 1929 2,330,245 Schonitzenet a1. Sept. 28, 1943 2,330,794- Schonitzer et-al Sept. 28,1943 

